Sand-shield and truss for vehicle-axles.



No. 060,254.4 l Patented 0m. 23, |900. H. KELLER.

SAND SHIELD ANDTRUSS FUR VEHICLE AXLES. (Appnctiwmed Aug. a, 1900.) A

(No Model.)

- lllllll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY KELLER, or sank cENTRE, MINNEsoTR SAND-SHIELD AND TRUsSfFoRvEl-IlcLE-AXLES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of `Letters Patent No. 660,254, dated October 23, 1900. Applicationfiieanuguste,1900. semina 25,824. maman.)

T0 all wit-0m it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY KELLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sauk Centre, in the county of Stearns and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sand-Shields and Trusses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,'clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art-to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention aixnsto prolong the period of usefulness of vehicle running-gear by bracing the same at the points of greatest strain and excluding dirt from the wearing parts of the axle. The means devised for attaining the objects of the invention consists, essentially, of a single part constructed and disposed in a novel manner and cooperating with adjunctive parts to effect the desired end in a simple and eective manner.

The most potent element of the invention is a shield of semicircular form to extend over the upper portion of the inner end of the hub, a perpendicular wall in line with the inner edge of the shield and upon the concave side thereof and having its lower .edge depressed to snugly t the upper part of the inner end of axle-skein, offstanding lugs at opposite ends of the perpendicular wall to bear against the shoulder of the axle-skein, and a seat at the top side of the shield to receive either the bolster or the sand-board, according to the position of the device, and which is secured to-the said seat.

The invention also consists of the novel features, structural details, and combinations of the parts, which hereinafter will be more fully set forth, illustrated, and finally claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of the front hounds and parts associated therewith,showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a front View of the end portion of the parts illustrated in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail longitudinally of the parts depicted in Fig. 2, the hub being in position. Fig. 4isa side view of the shield and truss as seen from the hub side. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the part shown in Fig. 4.

Correspondingand like parts are designated lin all the views of the drawings and referred toin the following description by the same reference characters.

The front hounds l, sand-board 2, axletree 3, spindle 4, and axle-skein 5 are well-known parts of a vehicle running-gear and are secured together in any substantial manner. :The sand-board or its equivalent part, the bolster, is clipped to the axle, the clip 6 engaging with the inner end'of the axle-skein. A truss-brace? passes beneath the axle midway of its ends and is bolted or otherwise firmly attached'at its extremities to the hounds'at opposite sides of the axle. This construction prevents upward displacement of the sandboard or bolster when the wagon receives an upward thrust from any cause. Moreover, the hounds are prevented from curving upwardly at their front and rear ends.

The shield and truss is mounted upon the outer portion of the axle, between it and the sand-board or bolster, and is firmly attached to the latter in any selected way. The shield cannot leave its seat upon the axle after the parts have been properly assembled and secured, because of the clip-and-truss connection previously described. The shield 8 is approximately of semicircular form and extends over the upper portion of the inner end ofthe hub 9 and is surmounted centrally by a seat 10, which is a block formed with the shield and vertically apertured to receive the fastenings by means of which the part 2v is secured thereto. A perpendicular wall l1 is pendent from the inner'edge of the shield and extends in front of the inner end of the hub and is depressed in its lower edge, as shown at 12, to fit over the axle in a snug manner.

Lugs 13 project outward from the ends of the wall ll, adjacent to the depression 12, and bear against the shoulder 14 of the axle-skein.

The perpendicular wall'll sustains vertical stress, the lateral lugs 13 by a bracing action prevent sidewise movement or play of the device, and the shield 8 acts as a guard to exclude mud, sand, and the like from the wearing parts of the axle-bearing.

The device is comparatively light, can be readily cast or drop-forged, and performs the dual function of a shield and a truss to IOO strengthen and brace the axle at the point of greatest strain. By mounting the device lupon the skein the axle is relieved from the Wear which would otherwise result thereto if the device were seated directly upon the axle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be protected by Letters Patent, is-

1. In vehicle running gear, a combined shield and truss mounted upon the axle between it and the sand-board or bolster and comprising a perpendicular wall to sustain the vertical stress and a curved shield projected laterally from the said wall to extend over the upper portion of the inner end of the hub, substantially as set forth.

2. In vehicle running gear, a combined shield and truss consisting of a perpendicular wall depressed in its lower edge to fit over the axle and a curved guard projected laterally from the upper edge of the said Wall to extend over the inner end of the hub, substantially as specified.

3. In vehicle running gear, a combined shield and truss consisting of a curved guard surmounted by a seat to which the sand-board or bolster is secured, and a wall pendent from the inner edge of the guard and depressed in its lower edge to receive the axle, substan tially as described.

4. In vehicle running gear, a combined shield and truss consisting of a perpendicular wall depressed in its lower edge a curvedl guard projected laterally from the wall to extend over the inner end of the hub, and lugs y extended laterally from the ends of the said wall adjacent to the depression therein to bear against the shoulder of the axle, substantially as speciied.

5. The herein shown and described combined shield and truss consisting of an approximately-semicircular guard surmounted by a ,block forming a seat, a perpendicular wall 

